Baby Wants a New Dress

My niece telephoned a week or so ago to say that Baby Grace had asked for another dress, suitable for the hot weather (she's very advanced for her age).   I had a quick rummage through my fabric stash and found something suitable.  Well, I say suitable, it was nice and soft, so I was prepared to overlook the fact that it was a little bit on the garish side.  I used the free Made by Rae dress that I used here so it only took about half a metre.  I cut it out that evening, stitched it the following morning, and posted it off that afternoon.  

The very next day I got a text message with a photo, showing Grace wearing it.  That's better than any 'Prime' service!

I did suggest that the fabric would be suitable if she was planning a Carribean cruise, but she seems happy that it's bright and cheerful.  

Baby Wants A New Dress - The Danny Johnson Band

Pink Shirt

I've been following the 'Refashioners 2015'.  You can read all about it here, but basically the idea is that you take a charity shop/donated/recycled shirt and refashion it into a different garment.  There have been some really innovative designs, so inventive that you'd never recognise them for what they were.  

I quite fancied having a go at this challenge myself, but what actually triggered a burst of activity, was the fact that my boiler had it's annual service yesterday, and I had to clear the entire cupboard, including a suitcase that contains out-of-season clothes.  I had a look to see what was stashed in there, and  came across a pink shirt that originally came from a posh menswear shop, but that I bought (apparently unworn) from a charity shop a couple of years ago, with the vague intention of making it into an upmarket painting apron.  Well, that never happened, so I decided to combine my fancy for a refashion, with my current love for the Sorbetto and here's the result -

Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo of the original shirt, but I guess we all know what a man's shirt looks like.  

Anyway, I kept the original hems and button stand, but cut the neckline, armholes and side seams from the Sorbetto pattern, ensuring that the top button was going to end up in the right place.  The sleeves were quite full, and there was plenty of fabric for cutting bias binding.  Having done all the cutting, I stitched the front darts, resewed the side seams, and stitched on the binding. 

I'm really pleased with it, and I'll be keeping an eye out for more fancy shirts.

Pink Shirt - American Suitcase

I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles ...

It's the last day of the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy, so if you haven't been - too late, you've missed it.

Anyway, in case you did, here's a little taster -

Oh, you'd better look away now if you are prone to migraines, but I thought the stairs were fab

and I think the walls must have been painted especially for me - I was tempted to paint my lounge in exactly this pink, what do you think?

Obviously, with such a huge amount of diverse art to see,  there was obviously some that I didn't like (maybe because I'm too thick to understand it)

but there were loads of pieces that I loved ...

and some pieces that made me smile ...

But the work that I had read about, and made me determined to see the Summer Exhibition this year, was The Humument by Tom Phillips.  A kind of up-market altered book, this was art created from a book called A Human Document by W.H. Mallock, and purchased by the artist for threepence in 1966.  He has been working on it for nearly 50 years, and continues to revise and develop it.

I could have spent hours looking at, and reading, the separate pages - and the idea was very inspiring. I bet there were a few exhibition visitors who went home with the idea of creating something similar.

Even if, like me, they probably never get around to it.

Oh, and the title for this post is taken from a light installation in the 'pink room'

I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles - by West Ham supporters everywhere.

1, 2, 3

I've just discovered the Colette Sorbetto pattern - a free download from HERE.  I actually printed the pattern off a while ago, but rediscovered it in one of my 'pattern mountains' so thought I'd give it a go.  I've been really pleased with the Colette Laurels that I've made and this looked to be an easy make - and it was.

The first one was cut from a seersucker gingham in red which was intended just to check the fit, but I've been wearing it lots

As you can see, it's a simple vest shape, with a front pleat and bias trimmed neck and armholes.  I used my bias maker - such a brilliant little gadget. My trusty and much-used overlocker had finally given up the ghost  (it's since been replaced with a shiny new model) so I used french seams to neaten the inside.  A check of other versions on the internet suggested that the darts might be a bit high, and I thought I'd want it a bit longer too, so I slashed across the pattern between the armholes and the darts, and added 5cm there, both front and back.

I was so pleased with it, I had a look to see what other suitable 'Sorbetto' fabric I had, and that resulted in this version

and then on my birthday at the Creative Sanctuary sew-in, I cut out my third version, and finished it when I got home

Look at that terrific pleat placement - deckchairs slap bang in the middle!  Actually, I can't claim any credit for that, if Jane hadn't mentioned it, I'd have just cut it out without thinking about it, so thanks Jane.  I think this is my favourite version - and I'm very tempted to get the same fabric in pink too.

I've also made a 4th version for my friend Jill, in a fresh green and white floral print, but I forgot to take a photo before I gave it to her.

I can thoroughly recommend the pattern as a simple and quick summer top - there will definitely be more.

1, 2, 3 - Len Barry

Happy Anniversary

Just had a lovely few days in Norfolk.  My reasons for the visit were two fold.  Firstly to see this little sweetie ...

who is, incidentally, wearing her first Me-Made dress.  I'd seen reviews of the Made By Rae Geranium dress and I was all set to buy the pattern for future use, when I discovered that there's a free download version for newborns.  Perfect! - with only four pages to download and super-quick to make, so I just had time before I headed off.

It's a long time since I made something so tiny - it felt like making dolls clothes.  The fabric was a remnant from my stash, which looks and feels like Liberty Lawn - so soft.  The pattern calls for buttons on the back, but I thought they might be a bit uncomfortable, so I used the tiniest little press studs.  I'm definitely going to order the full pattern which has some sleeve and neckline variations.  Poor kid's going to be in ridiculous frocks before she knows it.

The other reason for my visit was to celebrate my parents' 65th Wedding Anniversary.

I love these old photos - check out the one bottom right - Dad is wearing stripey socks to match his tie, and my Mum appears to be wearing black gloves.  How very stylish!

We had a lovely little Anniversary tea party for family and neighbours on the day - I even made a cake.  Coconut, Lime and Cherry cake - and it was edible!  I can't believe I didn't take a picture, it's such a rare event.  Also, for some reason, I didn't get a picture of Mum and Dad together, I think we must all have been too distracted with the newest addition -

She's a very contented baby - doesn't seem to mind who has her as long as she's getting a cuddle.
Oh, and a not-infrequent snack -

You wouldn't think it's the first time Dad's done a feed in getting on for 60 years!

Congratulations Mum and Dad, with love from us all xx

Happy Anniversary - Slim Whitman